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Consciousness is Central to the Functioning and the Objective of the Universe

1.
Consciousness is Central to the Functioning and
the Objective of the Universe
Sandeep Gupta
Towards a Science of Consciousness – TSC 2013
DEI, Dayalbagh, Agra
8th March, 2013

2.
Two Schools of Thought
• Idealist:
– view reality as an “integrated whole”
– interpret “consciousness” as something primordial, independent
and the all-creating essence of existence.
• Materialist:
– view reality as a “fragmented whole”
– interpret consciousness as a function of the brain, the essence of
which lies in the reflection and constructive-creative
transformation of the world.
2

3.
The East & West Divide
• East:
– Believing in the concept of “oneness in creation i.e. single point
reality with multiple manifestations of different shades” - has
always been a proponent of the „Idealist school of thought‟
– Replete with information about consciousness & its nature
• West:
– Influenced by physical sciences in the 1900s adopted a materialist
stance and since then has been viewing consciousness as a
product of physical reality and reducible to it
– Still struggling with the concept of consciousness
3
„When a higher system is investigated by applying the laws of the lower
system, one only gains a peek into the higher system but not the full
knowledge of the higher system‟ (Boulding, 1956)

4.
The East & West Divide (continued)
– “We have neither any idea how consciousness emerges from the
physical activity of the brain nor do we know whether consciousness
can emerge from non-biological systems. we also accept that the
term consciousness is currently being used in many different and
often ambiguous ways, and presently it is too premature to make any
precise definitions of consciousness.”
[Richard Frankowaik, 2004, „Human Brain Function‟]
– There are and have been people like Joseph Campbell who believe
that „consciousness and energy are somehow the same thing‟
and „consciousness does not originate in the head, it is only
inflected by the head in a certain direction‟ – a thinking that
comes very close to Indian wisdom
4

5.
1. The nature and origin of „consciousness‟
2. The objective of the creation
3. Role of consciousness in the creation
4. Relationship of human consciousness with the
macrocosmic consciousness
5

6.
The Nature and Origin of Consciousness
• Consciousness is singular in nature
• Human consciousness is only an extension of the consciousness of
the „Creator‟ which is popularly known as “Pure Consciousness” or
“Universal Consciousness”
• Consciousness at the Creator‟s end manifests as „Param Sat-Chit
(Prem)-Ananda Svarupa’
6

8.
The Objective of Creation
• All traditions maintain that this creation has taken place for the
benefit of man
• According to Radhasoami Faith, the “Supreme Being” has created
this universe, with the objective to give “spirit-entities” with low
spirituality an opportunity to increase their spirituality and
become fit to eternally enjoy His Supreme Bliss and Refulgence
8
SUPREME
BEING
“Spirit-
Entity”
Birth on
Earth
Life of
pain &
joy
Realize
temporal
nature of
joys & bliss
Search for
permanent
joy & bliss
Truth
realized
Spiritual
practice
Spirituality
increased

9.
Construct & Nature of Creation
“The center of experience is the center of the universe – physical as
well as metaphysical, and this supreme center is the real center of
man, the Atman, the unchanging basis of an ever changing universe
composed of both nature and personality, above cause and
therefore above time and the self transcending in the perfect truth of
perfect non-duality”
[Swami Ranganathanand]
9

10.
Construct & Nature of Creation continued
“The origin of the creation is an infinite spiritual energy source or
reservoir known as the “Supreme Creator” or “Being” (with
attendant features of supreme energy, supreme intelligence,
supreme refulgence and supreme bliss) with its accompanying
quantum spiritual force-field spanning the entire macrocosm. Each
constituent fundamental particle of this quantum spiritual force-field
known as the spirit-force, is the one which possesses prime-energy
and that all other forces (mind-force or physical force) of nature
have been evolved by the association of this spirit-force with media
(mind and physical matter) of different kinds. This concept of “spirit-
force” is no more intrinsically mysterious than “mass”.
[His Holiness Prof. Satsangi, 2007]
10

15.
Relationship of Human Consciousness with
the Macrocosmic Consciousness
15
Nirmal
Chetan
Desh
Brahamand
Pind
Six apertures in
human brain
corresponding to
the six planes
Six apertures in
human brain
corresponding to
the six planes
Six chakras in
human body

16.
“Consciousness in intrinsic to the grand cosmos, both
at macroscopic as well as microscopic levels. Man, a
creation on planet Earth happens to be a perfect
microcosm of the macrocosm. Spirit-mind-brain
consciousness interactions are at the microscopic
levels analogous to consciousness interaction
between Supreme Being (Universal Spirit) – Universal
Mind – Physical Universe at the macrocosmic levels”
[His Holiness Prof. Satsangi Sahab, 2010]
16